Leia Unleashed

12/15/2024

why did I choose a border collie? ⤵︎

I will always be young at heart. I love to run, I’m easily distracted, or incredibly motivated (whichever you prefer.) I love finding patterns and have trained myself to think of everything as a game. I enjoy being on my feet rather than sitting still, when I’m tired I quite literally crash, and my vacations almost always include hiking a mountain or learning a new skill. I’m methodical, intentional, ritualistic. I hate being bored.

maybe we’re more alike than we think.

maybe, she chose me.

12/11/2024

little specs of sand
still in my vision
left by your pawprints
all over my skin

an itch I can’t scratch
multiplying like diamonds
the little reminders
of what lies within

— beach days.

12/08/2024

twinkling lights ✨🕯️

during our holiday decorating, I found an old strand of string lights under the bed which sparked an idea.

I don’t really spend much time downtown… most days, I’m either at home or out on the trails and rarely do I find time to explore an urban area lined with shops. but this morning wasn’t “most days”. instead, I woke up at dawn, armed with my camera, treats and string lights (thoroughly inspired by .and.mia) and set off on a journey with the dogs.

there wasn’t a soul around as the girls and I figured out what worked in our newfound landscape. I gained a sense of pride seeing my half-baked ideas come to life, and rather unexpectedly, noticed just how beautiful winter sunrises are — something I usually miss when I’m sleeping soundly in my bed.

despite that my fingers were numbed due to the cold, as well as the fact that I’m not used to dealing with artificial lighting from the lampposts and christmas trees, these urban landscapes still seem to have a special quality to them. perhaps it’s the natural beauty of the mountains that make me feel like nature was still surrounding us, watching us play in the street with our silly twinkling lights.
dogcollars |

12/05/2024

salvaged. 🎞️

shot on a vintage camera
I bought for $10
at an antique mall during my college years.

the cashier said,
“this doesn’t work, you know.”

and I said, ‘I have to try.’

almost 2 years of film
bits and bobs of memories
nearly lost

and yet,
almost all of the memories were saved,
salvaged from the remains
of a life well lived.

12/02/2024

year 01 🎂✨🦊

I’ll admit to being naive.

I used to think that all dogs have the same impact on your life. that they were all equal, that I could love equally and give time equally to spend with them. I guess I felt that this day would feel the same, too — for how lucky am I that both of my dogs share a birthday weekend, just 3 days apart?

but today felt monumentally different, like a coming of age.. less sad, more hopeful. watching a sunrise with prospective joy at what this new age will bring.

because when I get emotional, she has always been there to spark an idea that gets me up and moving. a true fire sign.

the fire to my water.

happy 1st, little E. here’s to loving you endlessly.

11/30/2024

making our own 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳 path 🌲🏔️

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11/29/2024

THREE 🎂

I used to dislike the color brown
until I met her

And my whole world melted
like rich brown chocolate

Became malleable in my hands
like soft, damp earth

And started to glitter
like golden amber afternoon sunlight
through the canopy

Because the brown eyes that caught me
put my soul in a vice

And asked
if I could just slow down to see it
how beautiful this life could be
with her to guide me.

And brown became not just ‘brown’

It became her beautiful amber eyes
the glint of hazel highlights in her greying fur
the deep brown sticks that she finds in hidden places

and the kind of warmth and gentleness
you may only find once in a lifetime.

happy 3rd birthday, Leia 🖤

11/27/2024

travel diaries of a girl + her two dogs 🧳🥾🗺️

as 2024 begins to wrap up, I love looking back on trips like these —

the kind where I’ve experienced the world in new ways, beyond my imagination.

the kind where I point to a place on a map and say “well, we’ve never been here before” and plan an elaborate roadtrip in a few short weeks.

the kind where I bring my dogs along for the ride, because a vacation wouldn’t feel right without them.

that’s my kind of adventure.

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11/26/2024

stick season 🌾🪵🍂🪹

reminding us that creating habits
are like planting seeds.

for I can achieve my wildest dreams
by going slow and remembering rest
until the roots start to take hold
and second nature expands
this form, this mindset,
up and out.

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11/22/2024

the way of the world 💧

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11/20/2024

the dregs of autumn 🍂☕️

like the gritty tea leaves
found at the bottom of mother nature’s cup
— nearly at its end,
but savoring every last drop.

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11/19/2024

the green flash 🌅

look there, little one
for just before sunset
a light appears
where the ocean and sky meet
and the world ends.

—

can you tell we recently watched pirates of the caribbean? I was reminded why it was one of my favorite childhood series (we only acknowledge movies 1-3, which were far better in my opinion.)

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11/18/2024

tried out a Jumpers course this weekend (minus the weaves since Eden’s 11mo & still a baby!)

after a challenging few weeks of agility, we were in a bit of a funk and had the opportunity to get some extra practice on a big girl course… we’ve never sequenced more than 3-4 obstacles at a time, and turns out this little dog completely blew me away. 🥲

[motto of the story: walk headfirst into a challenge. don’t doubt yourself. work harder. run faster.]

solid foundations make these moments feel like SO much fun!!! can’t wait to keep working on those contacts and start weave training so we can get out there and see our hard work pay off. we’re always learning from the best 🫶🏼

11/14/2024

Autumn, personified. 🌞🍁✨

underneath the excess
There is beauty in death
and a promise of newness

The chill in her breath,
every exhale

earthy and dark
without end, without fail
but still not quite black.

the look of something scarier
than actually is there
underneath
the autumn air.

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11/10/2024

ripple effect 💧

find your peace
not in the external
but the internal

do not define your life
by what happens to you
but what you make happen

you can allow
your words to hurt
or heal

for you are in control of:
the type of content you consume
who you surround yourself with
how you treat yourself and others
what you do in your spare time
how you choose to respond

and although you are a single person
a single drop
has a ripple effect.

— in circles, 11.08

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11/06/2024

amongst the hidden things. 🍁

maybe there’s strength
remaining hidden in plain sight
like autumn’s kiss
before a frosty white
starts settling in
for another night.

— 11.06, temporal

the girls are enjoying the snow, while I am wishing for more time in my favorite season.. something about the fall neutrals are so comforting. while I am not a “pink girly”, the muted Himalayan Salt color reminds me of this transition from deep warm colors to the rosy glow that comes with fresh snowfall.

at the very least, I have these beautiful memories with our gear to look back on until next time (but it looks good year-round, too.🤎)

curious — did anyone else get their first snow yet?

reps | UNLEASHED10
Eden wears the essential leash + collar in Himalayan Salt

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11/04/2024

a quarter life calling /

there’s leap years and bad years
but there’s good years, too.

like this one, a time
that puts others to shame.

you know there isn’t anything
I wouldn’t do -

I’d run though the forests,
the wolves not yet tame,

searching corners of the earth
to uncover every clue,

because my soul and yours
are one & the same.

— twenty five, 11.04

today, I turned twenty five years old. E turned eleven months just a few days earlier, and Leia is nearly three. the time has gone by so fast, and things this year certainly look different — but in a good way.

grateful for a year of countless blessings, with my dogs at my side. 🤎

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10/31/2024

We tested out this crate with our puppy for the last few months — here’s our thoughts 💭🐶

Tired of ugly, clunky dog crates that clash with your home decor? 🐶🏠We've found the perfect solution: the Diggs Evolv Crate!In this honest review, we'll di...